Magnetic shunt roll assembly

ABSTRACT

A magnetic shunt roll assembly is disclosed, providing a shunting circuit of magnetic flux conducting material which is normally discontinuous, and a switch having a graspable element of flux conducting material which is moveable to close the circuit and reopen it. The assembly is useful in conjunction with textile machines for facilitating positioning thereon and removal therefrom.

Unite Statee etent Christoph W. Aurich 224 Camelot Road. Clemson, SC. 29631 32,814

Apr 29, 1970 Aug. 17. 1971 Coutinuati-ouln-part of application Ser. No. 743,869. July 10. 1968. now abandoned.

Inventor Appl No Filed Patented MAcNE'nc SHUNT ROLL ASSEMBLY 11 flalms, 6 Drawing Fig A 11.8. C1 1 r 29/1295, IOO/DIG. 17, 19/272 Int. CL. B211) 31/08 Field oi Search. 29/110.

1295.130, 132; 19/2 2. 254,295;l0O/D1G. l7

References Cited UNITED S 1A YES PATENTS 8/1954 Burnham 9/1964 Aurich et a1. 9/1964 Aurich 2/1965 Olcott 6/1968 Tarbox FOREIGN PATENTS 4/1963 Germany.

Primary Exammer Alfred R Guest Art0rney- Donald H Feldman ABSTRAQTr A magnetic shunt roll assembly is disclosed. providing a shunting circuit of magnetic flu conducting material which 1S normally discontinuous. and a switch having a graspable element of flux conducting material which is moveable to close the circuit and reopen it. The assembly is useful in conjunction with textile machines for facilitating positioning thereon and removal therefrom.

PATENTED mm mm 7 3599.305

Inn 15w; I m. CHRIS TOPH WAL 755- A UR/C'H This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. application, Ser. No. 743,869 of the present applicant, filed on July 10, I968, entitled Magnetic Shunt Roll for Textile Machines 124 now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Magnetic rolls for fiber drafting and the like are well known in the art and are advantageous over nonmagnetic rolls in that the former require no ancillary weighting means to hold them in operating position on textile machines, and thus eliminate the sundry mechanical parts otherwise required which add substantial expense, require maintenance and replacement, are somewhat inconvenient in use, andtend to attract dirt and lint which in time require cleaning or render the weighting mechanisms and/or the rolls nonfunctional and the textile machine inoperative during such times of cleaning and/or nonfunctionality. Various of such magnetic rolls have been previously described, such as in British Pat. No. 878,256; German Auslegeschrift No. 1,185,961, published on Jan. 21, 1965; and in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,686,940; 2,951,266; 3,079,646; 3,124,845; 3,149,403; 3,150,419; 3,388,435; and 3,481,066 among others.

Nevertheless, despite wide usage of magnetic rolls, yet important problems attendant thereto remain. Most prominent of these is the necessary stoppage of the textile machine before magnetic rolls may be positioned thereon or removed therefrom for cleaning, replacement or the like. Previous attempts to remove or reposition magnetic rolls while the textile machine is running have met with frustration or damage to the rolls or other parts of the machine, due to the great magnetic force with which the rolls are attracted to machine parts made of a magnetic flux conducting material, such as steel. While the machine is running, magnetic rolls in position thereon rotating at great speeds also do not pennit manual purchase or grasping for easy removal. I

1 Thus it is to the remedy of these difficulties that the present invention is directed.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION One object of this invention is to provide means for the manual removal or placement of a magnetic roll from or into operating position on a textile machine while the machine is running or not running.

Another object of this invention is to provide means for a manually controllable reduction in the magnetic flux force exerted by magnetic rolls while the machine is running or sta tionary and for a manually controllable reapplication of this force while the machine is running.

Yet other desirable objects of the invention will readily be apparent from and/or inherent in the explanations which follow.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 7 shunt circuit means which comprises a normally open shunt circuit of magnetic flux conducting material extending between the effective opposite poles of the magnet means in a discontinuous path and a switch means for closing and reopening the shunt circuit by making such path continuous or discontinuous, the switch means comprising a moveable element having a graspable exterior surface and containing a joining element of magnetic flux conducting material whereby upon grasping said exterior surface and moving said moveable element to one position the joining element closes the circuit to make the path of magnetic flux conducting material continuous between the effective poles of the magnet means, and upon moving said moveable element to another position the circuit is opened making such path discontinuous. In operation, upon opening the circuit, the magnetic flux passes through the boss(es) for exertion of magnetically induced pressure cooperation with other elements of the textile machine, and the present magnetic roll assembly acts substantially as magnetic rolls of the prior art. Upon grasping and moving the joining element the circuit may be closed while the machine is running or stationary, and the magnetic flux is diverted or shunted from its passage through the boss(es) and passes through the continuous pathof magnetic flux conducting material of the circuit, thereby reducing at the least the formerly outward magnetically induced attracting force of the magnetic roll, permitting facile placement or removal of the roll assembly on or from its operating position on the machine while the machine is running or stationary.

The present magnetic roll assembly may be used to advantage in its various embodiments in textile processing such as in spinning and roving frames and others requiring weighted rolls for pressure cooperation, as top rolls, intermediate rolls and/or bottom rolls, and in fiber drafting or like operations, and as driving or driven rolls. In its most common and preferred usage, the roll assemblies find especial advantage as otherwise freely rotatable, driven top rolls in fiber drafting applications as hereunder described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A fuller understanding of the invention may be had through the following explanation of specific embodiments when taken in conjunction with the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1, in somewhat schematic front elevation, shows a fragmented view of top magnetic roll assemblies of the invention in cooperation with driving bottom rolls as on a running textile machine.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal view in section of a magnetic roll assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the magnetic roll assembly of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates in partially'exploded and fragmented section, an aligning detent device employable with the embodiment ofFlG. 3. t

FIG. 5, in enlarged section taken substantially along line 5-5 of FIG. 3, shows an exemplary interconnection of one lead of the shunt circuit with one effective pole of the magnet means of that embodiment.

FIG. 6, also in enlarged section but taken substantially along line 6-6 of FIG. 3, shows an exemplary interconnection for rotatable movement of another lead of the shunt means carried by a moveable element of the switch means with another effective pole of the magnet means of that embodiment.

EMBODIMENTS Fiberdrafting mechanisms of the type shown in FIG. 1 are generally well known and include one or more axially aligned bottom rolls, generally designated 10, mounted for driven rotation on and longitudinala textile machine (otherwise not shown) such as in the direction of the arrow thereon. Rolls 10 may be so mounted and aligned by mounting blocks generally designated 12, one of which is shown in fragmented section, and consist of a supporting shaft 13 connected to a driving means (not shown) of the machine which'bears at spaced positions one or more fiber-drafting bosses 14,16 for rotation therewith. The top magnetic roll assemblies, generally designated 18, mounted for magnetically induced pressure cooperation with bosses 14,16 and rotatably driven thereby in the direction of the arrow shown, generally comprise a cylindrical body portion or arbor 20 supporting at its ends bosses or fibrous material as shown or of metal as needs dictate. Contained within arbor 20 is a permanent magnet 34 supportedby .pole pieces 36,38 which may be integral with arbor 20, each pole piece 36 and 38 forming with the respective poles 33 and 35 of the magnet what is called herein the effective poles of the magnet means, pole pieces 36,38 being of a magnetic flux conducting material and directing the normally outward magnetic flux from poles 33,35 through and/or proximal cots 22,24 to induce a magnetic pressure cooperation with bosses 14,16 also of a magnetic flux conducting material, such as the ferromagnetic type like steel. Thus, flux from pole 33, passes through pole piece 36, proximal cot 22, boss 14 and boss 16 by means of shaft portion 13, through and/or proximal cot 24, pole piece 38 and to pole 35 to complete the pressure cooperation circuit. The aforesaid is common to most prior art magnetic rolls, and their usage. Turningnow to the present magnetic roll assembly as shown in FIG. 2, a magnetic flux shunt circuit means is here provided to short circuit or shunt or divertthe flux from the above described pressure cooperation path. It comprises a shunt circuit which is normally open, and in this embodiment cylindrical leads 37,39 extending from pole pieces 36 and 38 respectively integral therewith and of a magnetic flux conducting material and the switch means of the invention, which in turn comprises an element 42 of magnetic flux nonconducting material such as plastic interposed between leads 37,39 and substantially preventing magnetic flux from'passing from lead 37 to lead 39 and a graspable and and moveable element 48 here in the form of an exterior cylinder of magnetic flux conductingmaterial long enough to bridge insulating element 42 and join lead 37 to lead 39 to close the shunt circuit as is shown in phantom lines. When so closed, the flux flows from pole 33, through a proximal portion of pole piece 36, through lead 37 to and through lead 39 by means of moveable switch element 48 in contact with both, through the proximal portion of polepiece 38 to pole 35. Thereupon, magnetically induced pressure cooperation of magnetic roll assembly 18 with bottom roll is, at the least, substantially reduced, permitting facile removal of the former from the machine and alternately its positioning on the machine while the machine is running. In general, the shunt circuit is insulated from the central portion of magnet 34 by a material of a flux nonconducting nature, such as air gap 40; alternately any such nonconducting material may be used. In

. operation, to remove a roll assembly of the type shown in FIG.

1, moveable member 48 is grasped and moved to its shunt" position as shown in phantom lines to the right, and to reapply magnetic weighting moveable member 48 is grasped and moved to its no shunt" position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Turning'now to the embodiment as shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the magnetic roll assembly 18 is essentially identical to assembly 18 except for constructional features of the shunt circuit. Therein, lead 50 connected to pole piece 36' is in the form of a strip of magnetic flux conducting material borne by a cylinder 42A joined to piece 36' exemplarily as shown in FIG. 5 for rotation therewith, cylinder 42A being of a flux nonconducting material. In abutting relation to cylinder 42A is cylinder 42B of similar construction, and being graspable and moveable rotatably with respect to assembly 18' and cylinder 42A. It bears lead 52 of a magnetic flux material, which is indexable with lead 50 and abuttable therewith, such as by some detent device as exemplarily shown in FIG. 4; therein, leads 50,52 are separated in exploded view for purposes of better understanding, but actually are in abutting relation; upon movement of cylinder 423 relative cylinder 42A such that leads 50,52 are indexed in abutting relation, the ball 60, spring biased outwardly by a spring 62 held within a cavity defined by walls 64, is forced into socket 58. This detent may in fact be located anywhere along the abutting surfaces 54,56 of cylinders 42A,42B for purposes herein. Cylinder 42B is joined to pole piece 38' for relative rotation thereto by some means such as the exemplary construction shown in FIG. 6, the requirements being merely that lead 52 be in conducting contact with piece 38' and be rotatable relative thereto.

ESSENTIAL FEATURES OF THE INVENTION Thus, from the foregoing explanations it is to be seen that the present magnetic roll assembly requires a normally open circuit of magnetic flux conducting material to extend between the effective opposite poles of the magnet means thereof, and a shunt switch having an exterior graspable surface on a moveable element which bears an element of flux conducting material and which is moveable relative the roll assembly to close the circuit and reopen the circuit, and having an element of flux nonconducting material which maintains the circuit normally open.

Within the foregoing prescription, explanations and drawings, one knowledgeable in the art may make changes in specific materials of construction, vary the placement of component elements, their number and configuration from that shown to achieve the objects of this invention and fall within the scope of the claims defining it.

That which I claim is:

1. A magnetic roll assembly comprising a cylindrical-roll body bearing a textile-processing boss, a magnet means comprising a permanent magnet within said body its central outer portion being insulated from said body by a flux nonconducting material and having effective opposite poles cooperative with said boss, and a flux shunt circuit means comprising a normally open shunt circuit providing a discontinuous path of flux-conducting material between the effective poles of said magnet means, and

a switch means for closing said circuit and reopening it,

comprising a graspable element exterior said roll body bearing a joining element of flux conducting material for closing said circuit and being moveable relative said body to a position for said closing and to another position for reopening said circuit, and

an element of flux-nonconducting material interposed in said circuit for maintaining it normally open,

whereby upon grasping and moving said graspable element such that said joining element'closes said circuit said ele ment of flux-nonconducting material is bypassed and said discontinuous path is made continuous between said opposing effective poles.

2.' An assembly as in claim I, wherein said open shunt circuit comprises leads of flux-conducting material extending between said opposing effective poles and being separated therebetween by said flux-nonconducting element of said switch means.

3. An assembly as in claim 1, wherein said graspable element is moveable translatory and axially parallel said roll body.

4. An assembly as in claim 1, wherein said graspable element is moveable rotatably relative said roll body.

5. An assembly as in claim 1, wherein said graspable element is cylindrical and concentric to said roll body.

6. An assembly as in claim 1, wherein said flux-conducting material is steel.

7. An assembly as in claim 1, wherein a portion of said body is also a portion of said shunt circuit.

, 8. An assembly as in claim 1, wherein a portion of said switch means is also a portion of said roll body.

9. An assembly as in claim I, wherein said joining element closes said circuit by abutting flux-conducting material extending between said poles and in so doing bypassing said nonconducting element.

10. An assembly as in claim 1, wherein said circuit is integral with said effective poles.

11. An assembly as in claim 2, wherein one of said leads is also said joining element.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No- 3 599,305 t d August 17, 1971 Inventor(s) Christoph AuTiCh It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

On the cover sheet "Attorney-Donald H. Feldman" should read Agent-Donald H. Feldman Column 1, line 9, preceeding "now abandoned." the numerals "124" should be deleted.

Signed and sealed this 1 8th day of January, 1 972 (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLE'I'CHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Acting Commissioner of Patents )RM P0-1050 (10-697 USCOMM-DC 603764 09 U 5 GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE "i9 0-356-33 

1. A magnetic roll assembly comprising a cylindrical roll body bearing a textile-processing boss, a magnet means comprising a permanent magnet within said body its central outer portion being insulated from said body by a flux nonconducting material and having effective opposite poles cooperative with said boss, and a flux shunt circuit means comprising a normally open shunt circuit providing a discontinuous path of flux-conducting material between the effective poles of said magnet means, and a switch means for closing said circuit and reopening it, comprising a graspable element exterior said roll body bearing a joining element of flux conducting material for closing said circuit and being moveable relative said body to a position for said closing and to another position for reopening said circuit, and an element of flux-nonconducting material interposed in said circuit for maintaining it normally open, whereby upon grasping and moving said graspable element such that said joining element closes said circuit said element of flux-nonconducting material is bypassed and said discontinuous path is made continuous between said opposing effective poles.
 2. An assembly as in claim 1, wherein said open shunt circuit comprises leads of flux-conducting material extending between said opposing effective poles and being separated therebetween by said flux-nonconducting element of said switch means.
 3. An assembly as in claim 1, wherein said graspable element is moveable translatory and axially parallel said roll body.
 4. An assembly as in claim 1, wherein said graspable element is moveable rotatably relative said roll body.
 5. An assembly as in claim 1, wherein said graspable element is cylindrical and concentric to said roll body.
 6. An assembly as in claim 1, wherein said flux-conducting material is steel.
 7. An assembly as in claim 1, wherein a portion oF said body is also a portion of said shunt circuit.
 8. An assembly as in claim 1, wherein a portion of said switch means is also a portion of said roll body.
 9. An assembly as in claim 1, wherein said joining element closes said circuit by abutting flux-conducting material extending between said poles and in so doing bypassing said nonconducting element.
 10. An assembly as in claim 1, wherein said circuit is integral with said effective poles.
 11. An assembly as in claim 2, wherein one of said leads is also said joining element. 